Tony Roskin, who turned his Marion, Ind., store Gilbert Roskin Jewelers into one of the most successful jewelry stores in the Midwest, died July 1 of complications from cancer. He was 97.
Born in the United Kingdom, Roskin moved to Marion, Ind., when he was 7. He served in the Army Air Corps during World War II, serving in the 100th Airborne, flying B-17s, known as the Flying Fortress.
After the war, Roskin returned home to Marion, where he worked with his father at Gilbert Roskin Jewelers. In 1947, he met Mildred Levy, of Brooklyn, N.Y. They had three children, including Gary Roskin, the current executive director of the International Colored Gemstone Association and former senior editor of JCK.
Gilbert Roskin Jewelers eventually became an American Gem Society guild store. Roskin later owned Eisenbach Jewelers in West Lafayette, Ind. After owning the stores for nearly 40 years, he sold them in 1983 and moved to California, where he continued to work at two local jewelry stores.
He is survived by companion Deana Blissmer; sons David and Gary; daughter Wendy; and five grandchildren.
In lieu of flowers, donations in Tony Roskin’s memory can be made to M.D. Anderson Cancer Research Center or the 100th Bomb Group Foundation.
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